South Africa by Sea

Fly from the U.S. to Cape Town, South Africa

Arrive in Cape Town in the evening and transfer to the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel Cape Town.

After a morning at leisure, explore South Africa’s celebrated wine lands. Just a short drive from Cape Town, the wine lands are nestled in three bucolic valleys. The rambling vineyards and whitewashed Cape Dutch farmhouses found here make this one of the country’s prettiest regions. Most famous among the wine towns is Stellenbosch, with its historic buildings and oak-lined streets. In the evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at the hotel.

The striking combination of coastal and mountain geography that forms the Cape Peninsula is truly superlative. Travel through rolling hills to explore the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. In the afternoon, board Corinthian II and sail.

After a morning at sea, arrive at Mossel Bay for an excursion to the western part of the Garden Route. Arguably South Africa’s most spectacular area, it comprises forested mountains, golden beaches, steep cliffs and rugged shoreline. Reach Wilderness National Park, a forested area of inland waterways and a variety of habitats that attract over 250 species of birds.

Arrive in Port Elizabeth. Founded in 1820 by British settlers, it became a prosperous port and trading center. Drive to the Tsitsikamma National Park, a rugged and impressive region of the Garden Route. Stretching for some 50 miles along the coast, Tsitsikamma consists of deep river gorges, ancient hardwood forest that is home to a variety of wildlife and dramatic rocky coast. After exploring this natural paradise, return to Port Elizabeth and spend the night aboard docked in port.

After an orientation tour of Port Elizabeth’s historic section, drive to Addo Elephant National Park, established in 1931 to protect the last surviving Cape elephants. The park consists of thick and dry brush, and in addition to elephants, it is also home to other animals including eland, kudu, Cape buffalo and red hartebeest. Enjoy an openair barbecue lunch at the park

Spend the day at sea cruising along the Wild Coast.

Leave the ship in the morning to explore the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a pristine wilderness consisting of five distinct ecosystems. This protected area is the largest estuarial lake system in Africa, and its variety of flora and fauna is staggering. In addition to large populations of Nile crocodiles, hippo, reedbuck and other animals, an amazing 420 species of birds have been recorded. Offshore, humpback whales can be sighted.

From the port city of Richards Bay, drive to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, the oldest national park in South Africa, and certainly one of the country’s most outstanding game reserves. A pristine wilderness, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is known for its rich wildlife, including black and white rhinos, lion, cheetah, leopard, giraffe, hippo and others. Return to the ship and spend the night aboard docked in port.

With its heterogeneous mix of Zulus, Indians and whites, many look to Durban to lead the new South Africa into the future. But more than a cosmopolitan city with a sophisticated and polyglot populace, Durban’s busy streets, with their heady combination of colonial and native flavors, offer visitors an authentic African experience they will not find anywhere else in South Africa. Tour Durban’s major sites in the morning, and then spend the afternoon at sea.

Bizarre cliffs, meandering beaches, sleepy lagoons and stunning waterfalls that tumble into the sea characterize East London’s spectacular shoreline. Founded early in the 19th
century as a permanent British settlement, East London is today the second-largest city in the Eastern Cape. A tour of the city includes the East London Museum with its outstanding
collection of South Nguni beadwork.

Relax aboard as Corinthian II cruises toward Cape Town.

Disembark in Cape Town in the morning for a tour of the city, including the Upper City Centre and the South African Museum. Spend the afternoon at leisure before transferring to the airport for return flights to the U.S.

ARRIVE IN THE USA